Chain-fastener



A. M. EVENSON.

CHAIN FASTENER- APPLICATION FIILED JULY 7. 19m.

1,332,719; I Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Ilium-7min lllll I ARTHUR M. EVENSON, 0F WESTBY, VIISCONSIN.

onarm'rns'rnunn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ltllar. 2,

, Application filed July 7, 1919. Serial No. 308,958.

To all whom. is may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR M. Evnxson', a citizen of the United States, residing at W'estby, in the county of Vernon and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for drawing the free ends of a. chain or like'toward each other and locking them in a tightened position, but more particularly locking anti-skid chains about automobile tires.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device which is capable of drawing the free ends of a chain toward each other, then cooperating with the chain for locking the ends of the same in their stretched or tightened position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device having its various parts so constructed and adapted for cooperation that the various parts will be arranged in compact relation either when the device is in use or not in use.

A further object of my invention is to provide adevice of the above mentioned character which may be permanently con nected to one anti-skid chain, and thereby dismiss allpossibility of its loss when in rise.

'A still further object of my invention is to provide a device whichis strong, durable, inexpensive to n'lanufacture, and eiiicient in practice.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the description and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a side elevation of the invention applied to a chain.

Fig. 2 is a top plan ofthe same.

Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the invention in an unlocked position, and

' Fig. l is an end view of the invention in a locked position.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the handle or lever which is substantially Sshaped in configuration. The end 6 of this lever is adapted to interlockingly engage'with the free end of a chain 7 or the for tightening and like, and the end 6 is curved laterally of the lever in hook shaped fashion as clearly shown at 8 in Fig. t of the drawings. The opposite end of the lever 5 is pivotally connected within bifurcated end 8 of a bowed member 9 by means of a rivet, the heads of which rivet are flush with the opposite sides of the bowedmember for a purpose which will appear later. The snap hook 11 is provided upon the opposite end of the bowed member by curving this end hook-fashion and providing the usual flat spring 12 for bridging the space between the free end of the hook and the shank thereof.

The other free end of the chain 7 has its end link 13 pivotally connected to the joined ends 14 of a slightly arcuated U-shaped yoke 15 through the medium of a. rivet 16 or the like. The opposite ends of the arms comprising the yoke are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the lever 5, a substantial distance from the pivot connection of the bowed member 9 with the free end of the lever 5, by means of a rivet 17 or the like, whereby swinging movement of the lever will cause movement of the yoke 15. its more clearly shown in 2 of the drawing, spacing collars 18 are provided upon the shank of the rivet l7 and interposed between the lever 5 and the arms of the yoke 15.

When an anti-skid chain is being positioned upon an automobile tire, the tightener or fastener assumes the position. as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. By gripping the end 6 of the lever 5 and swinging the lever toward the snap hook ll of the bowed member 9, it will be seen that the yoke member 15 will be carried therewith, which action will of'course cause tile end of the chain which is connected to tl= to be moved toward theopposite the chain which is engaged with .c. i al hook. During this operation, will also to manifest that the bowed member 9 will sometimes be moved together with the free end of the chain to which it is connected, toward the opposite end of the chain which is connected to the yoke, thereby tightening the chain to the desired tension in a minimum amount of time.

After the lever 5 has been swung to its closed position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be seen that the bifurcated end 8 of the bowed member together with the end of the lever 5 which is pivotally connected thereto, will have swung up between the two arms comprising the yoke 15. Inasmuch as the bifurcation extends substantially hall" the length of the bowed member, the curved end ill the lever -Vi'hen thedevice is in this position, it will be seen vthat the anti-skiu chain has been effectively tightened about the tire, and the chain will remain in a securely locked position inasmuch as the hooked. and 8 ol the lever cannot become accidentally disengaged from the chain. It will also be manifest that the tightener and fastener by the construction of its various parts provides a highly compact arrangement.

If it is desired to remove the chain from the tire, the endlink of the free end of the chain is sin; iy swung slightly out of alinement With Lie 'fastener so that the hooked end 8 0f the lever may pass between the opposite arms of the link and be swung toward the opposite end-of the chain to loosen the same... I Y

The foregoingdescription and the drawi .1 ingshave reference to What may be considered the preferred, or approvocL-iorrn' of invention. It is to be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may prove expedient and fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus fully described my inven tion, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a chain tightcner and fastener, the cmnbination of an S-shaped lever with a bowed member having a bifurcated end, a pivot provided for connecting the bifurcated end of said bowed member with one. free end of said lever, a yoke member having its arm pivotally connected to opposite sides ot said lever adjacent the pivotal connection of the-bowed member therewith, a snap hook provided upon the free end of said bowed member, said lever having its free end extended laterally of its body portion so as to penetrate the opening of a link and engage one side thereof so as to prevent accidental displacement, said link also engaging said snap hook.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two itnesses.

ARTHUR M. EVEN'SON.

Witnesses:

IRVIN HOLMAN, A. L. LENIM. 

